Protective helmet

Abstract

A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.

We claim: 
     
       1. A football helmet comprising:
 an outer shell made of a rigid material selected from the group of polycarbonate and ABS; 
 the outer shell comprising a front panel having a size and a shape and partially surrounded by a slot channel; 
 an energy absorbing layer protected by the outer shell and under the outer shell; 
 the front panel having a segment of the energy absorbing layer substantially corresponding to the shape and the size of the front panel; and 
 ear holes formed in the outer shell; 
 wherein the front panel has a locally increased thickness at the slot channel. 
 
     
     
       2. A football helmet comprising:
 an outer shell made of a rigid material selected from the group of polycarbonate and ABS; 
 the outer shell comprising a front panel having a size and a shape and partially surrounded by a slot channel; 
 an energy absorbing layer protected by the outer shell and under the outer shell; 
 the front panel having a segment of the energy absorbing layer substantially corresponding to the shape and the size of the front panel; and 
 ear holes formed in the outer shell; 
 wherein the front panel has a locally increased thickness adjacent to the slot channel. 
 
     
     
       3. A football helmet comprising:
 an outer shell made of injection-molded plastic and comprising a pressable front section, the front section defined by a plurality of slits through the outer shell, 
 an energy absorbing layer protected by the outer shell and having an outer surface, the outer surface including a raised ridge; 
 the raised ridge positioned in the slits; 
 ear holes formed in the outer shell; 
 two rows of vent openings extending from the front of the outer shell to the rear of the outer shell; 
 wherein the outer shell has a locally increased thickness at the plurality of slits. 
 
     
     
       4. A football helmet comprising:
 an outer shell made of injection-molded plastic and comprising a pressable front section created by a plurality of slits through the outer shell, the plurality of slits forming a U-shaped gap or seam; 
 ear holes formed in the outer shell; 
 two rows of vent openings extending from the front of the outer shell to the rear of the outer shell; and 
 an energy absorbing layer protected by the outer shell and having an outer surface; 
 wherein the outer shell has a locally increased thickness at the U-shaped gap or seam. 
 
     
     
       5. The football helmet of  claim 3  wherein the injection-molded plastic is polycarbonate or ABS. 
     
     
       6. The football helmet of  claim 3  further comprising a face guard system, the face guard system comprising a wire face guard and a pair of upper side mounts secured to the helmet. 
     
     
       7. The football helmet of  claim 3  wherein the raised ridge fills the plurality of slits to provide a relatively smooth exterior surface. 
     
     
       8. The football helmet of  claim 3  wherein the pressable front section is connected to the energy absorbing layer. 
     
     
       9. The football helmet of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of slits form a U-shaped gap partly surrounding the pressable front section. 
     
     
       10. The football helmet of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of slits form a gap or seam separating the pressable front section from a remainder of the outer shell such that the pressable front section is joined by one side to the remainder. 
     
     
       11. The football helmet of  claim 3  wherein the pressable front segment allows for bend or flex into the energy absorbing layer. 
     
     
       12. The football helmet of  claim 11  wherein the bend or flex into the energy absorbing layer allows for more impact shock absorption. 
     
     
       13. The football helmet of  claim 4  wherein the outer surface of the energy absorbing layer includes a raised ridge positioned in the U-shaped gap or seam. 
     
     
       14. The football helmet of  claim 4  wherein the injection-molded plastic is polycarbonate or ABS. 
     
     
       15. The football helmet of  claim 4  wherein the outer shell is a one-piece outer shell. 
     
     
       16. The football helmet of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of slits separate the pressable front section from a remainder of the outer shell such that the pressable front section is connected by one side to the remainder of the outer shell. 
     
     
       17. The football helmet of  claim 2  wherein the energy absorbing layer has an outer surface with a plurality of raised ridges positioned in the slot channel surrounding the front panel. 
     
     
       18. The football helmet of  claim 2  wherein the energy absorbing layer is secured to the front panel. 
     
     
       19. The football helmet of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of raised ridges fill the slot channel and provide a relatively smooth exterior surface.